The new Rangers recruit flying under the Russell Martin radar but will feel the same pressure soon enough
There's one man who has slipped under the radar in the midst of the furore surrounding Russell Martin’s arrival at Ibrox – that’s Dan Purdy.
But he’ll come into full focus soon enough.
Rangers’ new technical director, replacing the unwanted Nils Koppen, came to mind when I remembered a quote from Arsene Wenger.
The Frenchman, who knew a thing or two about being successful when he won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup finals with Arsenal, was once asked what made a good manager.
His answer was only two words long, but spoke volumes. “Good players,” he said.
Purdy, formerly of Everton, is now under every bit as much pressure as Martin in that case.
Because Rangers’ squad is in a state of flux and Martin’s immediate future is partly dependent on Purdy’s success rate in his operational sphere at Ibrox.
Some players have gone and it remains to be seen if the like of Vaclav Cerny return after the conclusion of loan agreements.
High-profile players like Nicolas Raskin could conceivably be allowed to go by the club’s new owners to signal the start of a proper player trading model.
Whatever happens, we are about to see the cut of Purdy’s jib under difficult circumstances.
Martin says he wants players who are brave enough to do his bidding.
The same phrase applies to the talent spotter.
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